Patents, Morality, and Access to Essential Technologies

Comprehensive analysis of the complex intersection between intellectual property rights (specifically patents) and public interest, focusing heavily on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and artificial intelligence. They examine the historical and legal relationship between patent law and morality, noting that moral standards have always influenced the system, though their role is currently diminishing amidst an expansion of patentability, particularly in biotechnology. A major theme is the tension between inventors' exclusive rights and the urgent need for global access to essential medicines, highlighting the challenges posed by the TRIPS Agreement and the resulting globalisation of patent rules. Furthermore, the texts explore the novel legal and ethical challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated inventions, discussing court cases like DABUS and the need to redefine concepts like inventorship and ownership to accommodate non-human creators while safeguarding human values and preventing market monopolisation.